“And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.”
I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling — Paul's self-disclosure is vulnerable: he came 'in weakness' (astheneias) and 'in fear and trembling' (meta phobou kai metrou). This contradicts the Corinthian ideal of the composed, masterful teacher. Yet Paul's weakness becomes the vessel through which the Spirit's power becomes visible (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9). Trembling (tromos) may echo Isa 66:2: those who tremble at God's word.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 2:3
“And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.” This again is another topic: for not only are the believers unlearned persons; not only is he that speaks unlearned; not only is the manner of the teaching of an unlearned cast throughout; not only was the thing preached of itself enough to stagger people; (for the cross and death were the message brought;) but together with these there were also other hindrances, the dangers, and the plots, and the daily…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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